The introduction of digital mammography has
generated considerable controversy and confusion among consumers, the
health care providers who advise them, and health facilities considering
the purchase of this technology.
In 2003, at the request of MCC member organizations, and in keeping with MCC's
mission of providing a "conscientious response to evolving scientific
knowledge," the MCC Board of Directors directed the MCC Breast Cancer
Advisory Committee to review the evidence and distill the information
into two handouts, one for providers and the other for consumers.
The purpose of these two papers was to provide information that health care providers, consumers,
and health facilities could use in making informed decisions on the use of digital mammography technology vs. film-screen mammography.
In the fall of 2005, additional data was published from the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST), which was conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network. The MCC Breast Cancer Advisory Committee Digital Mammography Workgroup reconvened to review the evidence and revise the Consortium's two position papers to reflect the changing science. The MCC Board of Directors reviewed and approved these two new papers at its April 2006 meeting.
MCC member and partner organizations are encouraged to copy these information sheets and distribute them, both within their own organizations and to other organizations and groups that would be benefit.
For more information, contact E.J. Siegl, MA, OCN, RN, of the Michigan Department of Community Health Cancer Prevention and Control Section at 517-335-8814 (e-mail: sieglej@michigan.gov).
Information
for Health Care Professionals
The April 2006 Position Paper for Health Care Providers provides an evidence-based overview of the data from the DMIST study and compares the advantages and disadvantages of using digital mammography over screen film mammography.
References
used in compiling this MCC position paper (available as an Adobe
Acrobat .pdf file)*
Reviewers
responsible for this MCC position paper (available as an Adobe
Acrobat .pdf file)*
Information
for Consumers
The April 2006 Information for Consumers paper is a two-page handout that is in an easier to read, question-and-answer format. It addresses frequently asked questions women may have about digital mammography.
*Please Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open, view and print this file once it has been downloaded. If you need a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click here.
